Western Alumni ($11.40) took full advantage of a perfect pocket trip to score in the featured $9,000 Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 15).
Driver Jim McNeight left hard from post seven with Western Alumni and took the lead from rail-rider American Bull (Kevin Cummings) by the eighth pole. But as soon as they crossed over to the pylons, American Bull completed the give-and-go by regaining the lead at the quarter in :28.4. After a more than pedestrian :59.3 half, the outer flow came fast led by Burton Blue Chip (Lee Dahn) first up, but not as fast as American Bull, who upped the tempo with a :28.1 third panel. At that point the leader looked solid. But at the head of the stretch when the passing lane opened up, Western Alumni ducked inside and responded to McNeight’s highly animated urging to gain a head victory over a game American Bull in 1:56.3. Just Frank (Rock C Vinci) bested the rest for third.
The win was the eighth of the year for the six-year-old Western Hanover gelding and the purse raised his 2014 earnings to $67,739 for owners North Creek Racing LLC. Western Alumni is trained by Jerry Nugent Jr.
The Downs leading driver, Kevin Cummings, followed up his five-win Friday night with a four-win effort on Saturday. He tallied with Tymal Torch ($29.00) and Union Man Hanover ($7.00) (to complete the $242.50 early double) as well as Flashy Trick ($4.80) and Fast Fool ($8.40).
Drew Monti, Jim McNeight and Jack Flanigen all registered driving doubles.
(Batavia Downs)